Vehicle-wheel.



M; M. BAILEY. VEHICLE WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1907.

' Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

witnesses M. M. BAILEY. VEHICLE WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1907.

I Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

wwmw

M. M. BAILEY.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.1G, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' auuen for dyer/0n 1%7/014 Ba lg,

specifications: Lou-merchant. Application area; Emu- 16', wow: sense at. statics.

mm is, 190

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, Memos MILToN BAILEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clare. and Statevof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in v ehicle-lvh'eels, ofv which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompan'yi-ng drawings.

The presentinvention relates to vehiclewheels of that type in which the hub of the wheelv is icapable. of movement relatively to the ground 'wheel and in whicha resilient body is interposed between. the hub and the ground wheel.

The object of the invention is to provide a wheel of this character inwhich will be obtained the full benefit of the resiliency of the interposed bod i withoutsubjecting. the

same to the friction which is usually incident to wheels of this character, and a further object of the invention is to provide awheel ofv this character in which the ground wheel 'will be capable of a lateralmovement relatively to the resilient body; to provide means for supporting the ground .wheel nor .mally in' a vertical position, means for cushioning I the lateral movement of the ground wheel, andmeans for preventing.- .turther lateral movement; of the groundwheel when the same has reached a predeternnned point.

\VIth these obJects in view my invention consists in the organization and other features to be hereinafter described, and then I more fully pointed out in the claims In the accompanying drawings, Figure. 1

is a side elevation of a wheel embodying my invention: Fig. 2 is a section taken centrally through the same; Fig. 3 1s a ide elevation of the ground wheel with the main hub and resilient body removed; Fig. +1 a section taken centrally through tlie-sanfreg Fig. 5 is a detail new of one of the fixed supporting brackets Fig. 6 1s a side elevation of a wheel showing the position of theresilient body and pivoted brackets when the wheel is in motion; and Fig. 7 is a fractional view of the ground wheel showing. a slightly modified form of the same. g I

In these drawings I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention, inwhich the reference numeral 1 indicates the ground wheel which-is provided with a rim and tire ofany suitable charactenithat. here shown consisting of anlordinary rubber tire 2 mounted-in a channeled-Trim 3. The felly of this wheelv is connected by the spolms 4; which are-rigidly secured thereto, with a ring'or auxiliary hub 5, which forms thecenter of the ground wheel and preferably consistsof two annular angle irons, which;

form a channel- U-shaped in cross section and adapted. to receive the inner. ends of.the-'- spokes 4 which are rigidly secured therein-in any suitable manner.

Mounted on-the oppositesidesof the wheel- 1 are a-plurality of movable brackets 6,; each of which preferably comprises a radialarm '7. which is'pivoted at its inner end to one of the spokes 4 of the wheel ortothe annular angle irons of the auxiliary hubuand is-pro- 'vided at its outer end with aplate or pro; I jection 8 extending at substantially right; angles to the arm 7 and in a direct-ion away from the wheeh These brackets may be of 1 any suitable number, but I prefer-to employ three, on each side of the ground wheel, as

here shown, and to arrange thesame at equal;

intervals about the surface of the wheel These brackets 6 are so mounted. upon the spokes 4 or auxiliary hub as toflcause the radial arm- 7 thereof to project a slight distancebeyond-the edge ofthe speke'and the face of the wheel, thus providing on each side of'the wheel 3 projecting bearingsurfaces. The wheel is also provided on each: side-with a plurality of fixed brackets which; extend at substantially right angles to the wheel and-are preferably equal innumber to. the' movable brackets and. are arranged alternately with the movable "brackets. Thesefixed brackets may be formed in any suitable manner, but I prefer to construct the same ofa plate 9, which is curved outwardlytoconform to an arc of the wheel and is provided near its opposite ends with hook-shaped-members lO adapted to extend about theopposite sides of two adjacentspokesand separated by adistance sufficientto cause the same to bind against the sides ofthespoke'swhen the plate has been moved outward to its proper position. The fixed brackets 9 are mounted upon the ground wheehata slightly greater distance, say;

about a quartesof aninehgfrom -the center of the wlieeltnan are the pistes; 8 of the piyoted braoketsr: I

The orflm-ain hub of the; wheel is indicated at? 11 andcomprisesbearing;

sleeve- 12 provided intends: opposite ends wl-th outwardly eat/ending Thisable construction, but preferably consistof a spider 1t provided at its outer edge with a flat rim 15, provided with elongated bolt holes 16 and adapted to receive thereon the resilient body 17 which is preferably in the form of a pneumatic tube of specialconstruction and is secured to the rim by means of .screws or bolts 18 extending through the bolt holes 16 and engaging lugs 19 embedded in the resilient body. The-frame 14 is provided at its center with an aperture or hub portionQO, adapted to fit over the ends of the bearing sleeve 12 and provided with an annular recess 21 formed in the inner face of the frame, about said. hub; portion, 'and adapted to receive the flange '13 of the bearing sleeve 1-2,.to which it is secured by any suitable means, such as the-bolts 22. The diameter of the frame with the resilient body secured thereto is such as to cause the same to extend parallel Wltll the ground wheel for a considerable distance beyond "the ring or auxiliary hub 5 and to bring the peripheries of the resilient bodies 17 into lateraland peripheral engagement with the pivoted brackets 6 when the frame 14 is in position on the hub 11' and the hub is in position in theground wheel. Thus it will be seen that the wheel is practically a triple wheel comprising a ground wheel and the two auxilia ry wheels consisting of the frames 14 with their resilient bodies which extend on either side of and laterally embrace the ground wheel.

As stated, the resilient body 17 may be of any suitable construction, but I prefer to construct the same of an annular pneumatic tube which'is provided, at the outer edge of that face thereof which lies adjacent to the ground wheel, with a shoulderor projection 23 ada )ted to enga 'e the )ro'ectin radial,

l l, e s

arms 7 of the pivoted brackets and provided at the inner edge of the same side thereof with a shoulder or projectionl24c of less width than the shoulder 23 and normally ,out of engagement with the arms 7, but of sufiieient width to project beyond the inner edges25 of the rim 15.

When the wheel is in its normal'position and the main hub is not supporting a load,

this hub will be substantially in the center of the auxiliary hub 5 and the pivoted brackets 6 will be-in engagement with the periphery of the resilient body and the fixed brackets will be out of engagement therewith. When a load is placed uponthe mamghub, such as when thesame is imposition on-the axle of the vehicle and supporting a portion of the weightof the same and its contents, the portion or portions of the resilient body which are in engagementwith the pivoted bracketor brackets which lie below the wheel center, are compressed, allowing thehub to move to a position below the wheel centerand bringing the portion or portions of the. resilient body, which lie adjacent to thefixed bracket or brackets which are below the wheel center,

into engagement therewith, thus providing an additional support for the lower portion of the resilient body when the Wheel s slip-v porting a load. When poweris applied to the axis to rotate the wheel. the first-impulse is absorbed by the resilient bodies whichare rotated a slight distance forward relatively to the ground wheel, carrying with'them the several pivoted brackets which are in engagementtherewith, thus moving these brackets about their pivotal centers and thereby shortenin g the distance between the forward edges of the brackets and the center .of the-wheel, and causing the same to compress and-firmly grip the periphery of the resilient bodies,

assisting the fixed brackets, and causing the ground wheel to move. forward-with the resilient bodies and the hub, and preventing further forward movement of theresilient bodies independently of the ground wheel.

', This construction of the wheel serves to practically eliminate all friction between the resilient body andits support upon the ground wheel incident to the vertical movement of the ground wheel and the resilient body relatively one tothe other, inasmuch as theonly supports in engagement with the forward or rearward portions of the resilient body are pivoted to the ground wheel and move vwith the body when it moves vertically relatively to. the groil-ndwheel, and, inasmuch as the only fixed support which is in engagementwith the Wheel, is. beneath the wheel center and-as to' which the resilient body has .no

Irelative movement, except as the'bodyg'enerally vibrates, but whichvibrations, being merely due to the jarring of the machine in running, do not generally lift the resilient body rfrom, such lower, support, or; if they lift it at all from such support, ,stall the inovenient'is' melgely to and from theifsupport.

without any-nu bi'ng effect. Therefore, as

between the resilient body and all tlii e sup-- ports, both the pivotal and, fixed,there 1s no, V

such relativejmovement as to cause' Wear-.-and

friction to destro yuor injure these bodies. -i

'hen the wheel is subjectedto a; lateral strain, the lower portion of the; ground wlieel is moved laterally relatively to the resilient bodies, thus causing the. radial'a'rmfi or thatv pivoted bracket 6, which isnearest'tliepoint' of strain, to compress the shoulder 23 of the resilient body,- which' enga ement'there';

lateral 'move v13(3- with, thereby- .cushi'oning the} iner bf the' ggound,,wheel fandwhich -returned to its normal position by the rechecker control the movement of the wheel,

as th s shoulder does not serve to compress the b0dy17, but has merely the resiliency of the soft rubber, of which it is composed, and, should. the strain be suflicient to cone press the shoulder 24;, the arm T will come i-nto' ,contact with the shoulder 25 on the rim lo wliich formsa positive stop and prevents furtherlateral movement of the ground wheel, thus preventing the same from being moved through a distance sutli'cient to injure the wheel or any of IlSPHItS. It will further be understood that the lateral movement of the wheel takes place from a fillcrum point, as it' were, at a place on the shoulder 23 about orgeiiei'a-lly diametrically opposite the point of contact on said shoulder- 23 where the lateral thrust is resisted,- but that such upper or fulcrun 'pointof contact iwith'the shoulder 23 is against the opposite resilient body 1'? or, the one on the other side .of the. ground wheel. Thus ,it will be seen that I have provided for the longevity or'preservationof'the life and integrity ofthe resilient bodies saving them from wearand destruction by friction, yet.

without impairing their eliiciency; indeed, have but. added to their. capacity in this respect bythe. means-,adopted to preserve them," and that I have also made provision for this matter. of yielding to lateral thrusts of the ground wheel. I. have also provided 1 for allowin the forward rotative impulse, .utilized in (I riving the machine, to'be taken up by the resilient bodies and transferred to the ground wheels without shock to either or wearing injury to the resilient bodies themselves. It will be seen that in response .to this rotative impulse," (either forward or backward), the resilient bodies first rotate a short'd'istance without really imparting their movement to the ground wheels, and then, by the, automatic action of the pivoted supports. transfer their motion to the ground wheels.

In addition to the features above mentioned it. will be'observed that the wheel, as herein constructed, is provided with a resilient carrying member which is so related to the wheel that the latter receives the full.

benefit of its resiliency, but which is so mounted as not to bev subject to the usual details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention, what ciaim new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a wheel of: the character described, the combination, with the ground wheel, and a hub capable of movement relatively thereto,'-of an annular resilient body mounted on said hub, and a plurality of brackets pivotally mounted on said ground wheel and engaging said resilient body at intervals about the circumference thereof.

2-. In a wheel of the character described,

the combination, withthe ground wheel, and

a hub capable of movement relatively thereally mounted on said ground wheel and en-'. gaging said resilient body at equal intervals I about the circumference thereof.

3. Ina wheel of the character, described, the combination, with theground wheel and a hub capable of movement relatively thereto, of an annular resilient body mounted on "said hub, a; plurality of brackets pivotally mounted on said ground wheel and engaging said resilient bodyat intervals about its 011'- cumference, and a plurality of otherbrackets rigidly secured to said ground wheel and normally out of engagement with the circumference of said resilient body.

. 4. Ina wheel of the character described, the combination, with the ground wheel and a hub capable. of movement relatively thereto, of an'an'nular. resilient body mounted on said hub, a plurality. of brackets pivotally mounted on said ground wheel and engaging said resilient body at intervals about the circumference thereof, a ad a plurality ofbrack ets rigidly secured to said groundwheel, ar

ranged alternately with said pivoted brackets and. normally out of. engagement with said resilient body.

In a wlieel of the character described,- the combination, with the ground Wheel and a hub capable of movement relatively there 'to, of annular resilient bodies mounted on said hub and located on opposite sides of said ground wheel, and brackets pivotally mounted on said'ground wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said resilient bodies, the pivoted brackets. on one side of said wheel being located between the pivoted brackets on the opposite side thereof.

6. In a Wheel of the character described. the combination, with the ground Wheel and a hub capable of movement relativelythereto, of annular resilient bodies carried by said hub and located on opposite sidesof said ion ground wheel, brackets pivotally mounted .on both sides of said ground wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said resilient bodies, other bracketsrigidly mounted on both sides of said ground wheel and normally out of engagement with said resilientbodies, the fixed brackets on one slde 'of said wheel being opposite the pivoted .the combination, with the hub, the frames mourned near the ends thereof, and the ground wheel mounted between said frames and capable of lateral movement relatively thereto, of" resilient. bodies carried by said frames and each having a shoulder adapted to engage the adjacent side of said ground wheel.

'9. In a wheel of the character described, thecombination, with the ,hub,'the frames mounted near the ends thereof, and the ground wheel mounted between said frames and capable of'lateral movement relatively thereto, of resilient bodies carried by said fran'ies and each' having a plurality of shoulders arranged at successively increasing distances from said ground wheel and adapted to successively engage the adjacent side of said ground wheel as the same moves towards said resilient body.

10. In a wheel of the character described, the combination, with a hub, the frames mounted near the ends thereof. and the ground wheel mounted between said frames and capable of lateral movement relatively thereto, or'resilient bodies carried by said frames and provided with means for supporting said ground wheel in its normal po-. sition, and means for controlling the lateral movement thereof, and other means forpositively limiting said lateral movement.

11. In a wheel of the character described. the combination, with the hub, the frames mounted near the ends thereof, and the ground wheel mounted between said frames and capable of lateral movement relatively thereto, of resilient bodies carried by said frames and each having a shoulder adapted to engage the adjacent side of said ground wheel, and means for adjusting said resilient bodies relatively to said ground wheel,

12. In a wheel of the character described,

the combination, with the ground wheel, a I

hub capable of movement relatively thereto, and frames carried by sald hub and extending on opposite sidesof said ground wheel. ofresihent bodiesmounted on said frames and each havmg a shoulder adapted to en ga e the adjacent side of said ground wheel,

an brackets pivotally mounted on said ground wheel and adapted to engage said resilient bodies.

1.3. In a wheel of the character described,

tne combination, with a ground'wheel, and a .hub capable of movement relatively to said said hub, and brackets pivotally mounted on one side of said ground wheel and engaging said resilient body, the pivotal centers of said brackets being radially within the circumference of the resilient body.

15. In a wheel of the character described, '85

the combination, with a ground wheel, and a I hub capable of'movement relatively to said ground wheel, of a resilient body. carried by one of said members, brackets carried by the other of said members and adapted to .en-

gage said resilient body, said resilient body,

being mounted at one side of said ground wheel. v t I .16; In a wheel of the character described, N the combination, with a ground wheel, and

a hub capable of movement relatively thereto, of a resilient body carried by said hub, and pivotal supports carried by said ground wheel, the pivots of the supports'being radially within the circumference of the resilient body.

' 17. In a wheel of the character described, the combination, with the ground wheel and a hub capable of movement relatively thereto, of annular resilient bodies carried by said hub and located on opposite sides of and .in lateral engagementwith said ground wheel, brackets pivotally mounted on both sides of said ground wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said resilient bodies, other bracketsrigidly mounted on both sides of said ground wheel and normally out of engagement with said resilient bodies, the fixed brackets on one side of said wheel being opposite the pivoted brackets on the opposite side of said wheel.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MARION MILTON BAILEY. Witnesses A. C. LINK,

EDWARD L. REED. 

